HE’S A celebrated author and humanitarian who survived four brutal years as a hostage – and he could be Macclesfield’s next MP.

Bollington-born Terry Waite CBE, held by terrorists in Lebanon between 1987 and 1991 while an envoy for the Church of England, is considering running for Parliament following Sir Nicholas Winterton’s decision to quit at the next election.

If he does, he vows to bring "power to the people" and dreams of "radical reform" of Government.

"I have been asked to stand by lots of people – if I did it would be as an Independent – and I’m not ruling out Macclesfield.

"I know the area well, it has an important place in my heart because I spent my formative years here. I’d love to live in Bollington again."

"It would be for the people – I’m not seeking power or glory."

The grandfather-of-three, who turned 70 on Saturday (May 30), and now spends much of his time giving lectures, first lived in Bollington – where his dad was the local bobby – then Henbury as a child, when he was an MEN paper boy.

Although still weighing up his options, Mr Waite is definitive about what the task would entail in Macclesfield – a manifesto seems to be taking shape.

"I’d like to sit down and talk to the borough’s health professionals, teachers, and people in various professions and just say, ‘Tell me what you are facing’."

"I’d make sure the people were listened to, the ordinary people – the farming community who are struggling because we’re running down the industry by importing from overseas."

Local business is another passion – and he would like to see Macclesfield return to its market roots.

"Business rates and rent are forcing out independent retailers, the small man, from a town like Macclesfield.

"We need to keep industry alive, not have these town plans that make places look like something out of Star Wars.

"I’m not against development but it’s vital to retain the character of a place, not squeeze small traders out for dreary multi-plexes.

"The loss of our market towns is a tragedy."

Now living in Suffolk and London with wife Frances and two springer spaniels, Terry is a patron of the town’s East Cheshire Hospice, and in Mottram St Andrew for a fundraiser just last month.

Terry brings the same level of enthusiasm to what "needs" to change in the structure of Government.

"There is virtually no difference now between the two main political parties – they’re all controlled by the whip.

"I feel if you are in a main party you have very little influence and I want to give power to the people.

"We need to shift these layers of bureaucracy and reform the tax system, we need radical reform."

Of his background, Terry added: "I would not bring my religion into politics, If my Christianity means anything it would be to embrace its grounding in good solid views, like freedom, rights and justice, moral principles."

On the controversial subject of the Wintertons’ expenses scandal, Terry is diplomatic.

"I believe the Wintertons were good parliamentarians. They worked hard and I think their down fall has actually been the system itself.

"If I were to enter, I would not put myself forward as being this perfect candidate."

This isn’t the first time Terry has been asked to consider entering the political arena – but it is only now he is taking the suggestion seriously.

"I have been asked to stand in the past but never agreed.

"One downside would be the media exposure, when I was a negotiator and hostage there was very intense pressure from the media on my family, who are very private people.

"Also, I was not really enamoured with the political jingoism and didn’t want to stand for the main political parties, but the present expenses crisis has started an explosion, I think resentment has been building up for a long long time and it’s coming to a head.

"People are fed up and reform is in the air. We can’t carry on in this utterly boring and moribund way.

"It’s an exciting time."

He added: "If I don’t stand, I’d support Martin Bell, he did a good job and there were only a couple of Independents at the time."

"Life is strange, with a lot of twists and turns you never know what you are going to do or where you are going to go – so yes, I could end up in Macclesfield. It has a fond place in my heart.

"I’ve received lots of letters asking me to do it – but then of course there are lots of people who’d rather I didn’t!"